I just won a 4553TSW on GB; haven't seen it yet, of course, but pretty sure I'm going to like it. It is one of the early no-rail versions with the short 6 round butt...that was why I stayed with it and bid it up; hadn't seen one offered before. Can anyone enlighten me on the history? Apparently they didn't make this version for long before going to the rail and longer magazine. I've been so happy with my 3953 I had to have the .45 version.

Dang this 3rdgen bug! In the last month I've bought a 945PC, a 4516-1, and now this 4553TSW; where does it end? If I could find a 4556 I'd have it too. I'm truly hopeless.

According to the book,the 4553 TSW(with out the rail) was produced from 1997 to 1999.
The model with the rail was produced in 2000 to 2002.
Also a word of caution,the third Generation bug you mentioned can be extremely addictive..

__________________
JR

The pre-rail 4553TSW, as well as the 4513TSW, was only made for about a year. I remember examining one at the S&W booth in the Atlantic City police expo. The chopped grip with the smooth magazine killed it. There is not much purchase for the hand to hold onto. Current owners often switch the baseplate to a finger rest style. If you want to use aftemarket grips, you will need to alter them for the frame cutout.

In my opinion, this was the closest S&W came to the perfect .45 carry gun. It would have been an alloy version of the 4556, had they just left the grip alone.

Be sure it fits your hand before completing the transaction.

Well, I bought it on GB from a thousand miles away, so I won't be able to confirm whether I like it before buying it, but I don't really mind; if I don't like to shoot it, I'll enjoy looking at it...

I can see that the grip is too short to even consider as a duty weapon, but looks like it will carry well as a backup. I really don't care a lot about comfortable grip in a backup situation...if I've got to draw and fire a backup, things are already out of hand. Mostly, I want it to be there and be reliable.

Thanks for the replies; I'll report back when I get it.

Congrats on your 4553TSW!!

I have the 4513TSW with the cut out grip frame. Don't let the grip decieve you. I qualified with mine for a back up/off duty gun and shot two 98's day/night with it. It is a joy to carry!

Member Big Dog was kind enough to do up a set of 4516 Hogue grips for me to fit the cut out grip frame. Makes it feel like the full size grip, to me. You might want to contact him. He is a great fellow to deal with and does excellent work.

Enjoy your 4553TSW!! Regards 18DAI.

Thanks; that's really good to hear. I have fair sized mitts, so my pinkie is going to feel lonely, but I've carried a model 60 for years. While it's no fun to shoot with no more than it has to hang on to, I've always qualified with it. Like I said earlier, I don't expect to enjoy shooting a backup, but sure want it to be there and be on my side of the fight. I was (and still am) looking for a 4556, but figured the 4553TSW would be a great interim pistol. If I like it as well as I'm expecting to, I might not care too much if I never find the 4556; who knows?